Trees of Hope supporters include, David, Karen, Paul, Marion, Julian, Sally, Sadie, Jules, Susan and Helen with Dale and Donna Dowler and Imogen Nguyễn, centre.
A remarkable community effort that delivered more than 566 Christmas hampers to struggling Sunshine Coast families last year is underway again, with local businesses, volunteers and community groups joining forces to ensure no family is forgotten.
The Shack Community Centre officially launched its seventh annual Trees of Hope campaign at Club Namba on Thursday, November 5, celebrating the generosity of the many people and organisations behind the initiative.
Last year, the campaign collected more than 7500kg of donated food and $4500 in financial contributions, with volunteers spending countless hours preparing hampers for distribution.
Trees of Hope coordinator Imogene Nguyễn said the initiative had become much more than a Christmas charity drive.
“Trees of Hope is not just something we do willingly. We just love to do it and it just brings so much joy and hope to our community,” she said.
“Every single Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we have people in our workshop packing hampers, sorting out all the goodies. And without that, it just wouldn't happen.”
The campaign culminates in a Christmas marketplace at Nambour Christian Church on December 23, when about 50 volunteers will help distribute hampers and gifts to families.
“Seeing the joy on all those little kids' faces when you're giving them a gift or you're giving the family a hamper or you're letting them take photos of the special visit from Santa, it fills you with a joy that you can't explain,” Imogene said.
Shack Community Centre pastor Dale Dowler said one of the most rewarding aspects was seeing families who had previously received assistance returning to help others.
“Recipients from last year are now down to volunteer for this year. So it has a magnificent knock-on effect as well within those families,” he said.
He recalled how one family created a supermarket treasure hunt for their young children to collect hamper items, an idea since embraced by other families.
This year, Youi Insurance has partnered with the Salvation Army through an adopt-a-child initiative to provide a Christmas present for every child supported by the campaign.
“There is not going to be one child missing out this year. Every child is going to be covered for a gift,” Pastor Dowler said.
Member for Nicklin Marty Hunt praised the community's generosity, particularly as cost-of-living pressures weigh heavily on families.
“It's very humbling to be a part of this community and to be a leader of this community that demonstrates such generosity,” he said.
Mr Hunt said Christmas could be a particularly stressful time for parents worried about whether their children would miss out.
Sunshine Mitre 10 representative Tim also praised Nambour's willingness to tackle hardship.
“The amazing thing about Nambour is its community,” he said.
“We actually recognise there is an issue with homelessness and we don't just nod our heads and pontificate about it. In this community we actually do something about it.”
Residents can support Trees of Hope by collecting a green bag from participating businesses, including Sunshine Mitre 10 stores, filling it with groceries from the supplied shopping list and returning it for collection.
Businesses can also host collection trees and bags, while volunteers are welcome to help with hamper preparation or the December 23 marketplace.
• For more information or to register as a volunteer, visit the Trees of Hope section of the Shack Community Centre website: www.theshackcommunitycentre.com.au/trees-of-hope.
